Shumlin signs new state budget into law

Education reform the year's highlight, governor says

Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the new general fund budget into law Tuesday, the centerpiece of $5.3 billion in total state spending planned for the coming year.

The Democrat chose the Milton Middle School cafeteria as his venue to emphasize the reforms the new budget promises young Vermonters.

"This is really an education budget," the governor said. "It's about ensuring we invest resources to make sure our students are getting beyond high school and getting the education they need for the jobs that are out there."

The budget expands eligibility for free and reduced-cost school lunches to many more kids, doubles spending on a program allowing students to take college courses while still in high school, and provides a 3 percent increase in state support for UVM, the Vermont State Colleges, and for VSAC.

"The average VSAC grant will go up $200," as a result of the new budget funding, said Scott Giles, incoming CEO at VSAC. "But where you'll really see some substantial increases are for the lowest-income students and their families where those increases could be as much as $1,000 or more."

Ashley Bourdeau, a Milton senior heading to Lyndon State College this fall, thinks that's a pretty good idea. ""Paying for college is really expensive," she said.

The general fund budget also includes $6 million in new funding to help Vermonters afford to buy heating fuel next winter.

"We're pleased it's only going up 4% and not what they first proposed," said Ron Hubert, a Milton state representative who attended the budget signing. Hubert voted for it in the House earlier this month but said he worries about sustainability given its reliance on $50 million in one-time-only revenue.

That means another budget gap awaits lawmakers in January, unless the economy improves more rapidly.

The governor did not linger after the budget signing to take questions, and was quickly whisked away by a staff assistant. He also had two state troopers by his side in public appearances Tuesday, one more than usual.

Shumlin is coming off a barrage of negative press coverage last week over a soured land deal he negotiated with a destitute neighbor in East Montpelier.

The governor is scheduled to sign the new capital construction bill on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Waterbury state office complex.

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